Thursday, February 15, 2024

Weak Genetic Tie for Depression

Studies of identical twins, who share a genetic blueprint, show that if one twin has bipolar disorder, the other has a 60% to 80% chance of developing it, too. These numbers don't apply to fraternal twins, who — like other biological siblings — share only about half of their genes. If one fraternal twin has bipolar disorder, the other has a 20% chance of developing it.

The evidence for other types of depression is more subtle, but it is real. A person who has a first-degree relative who suffered major depression has an increase in risk for the condition of 1.5% to 3% over normal.  (First degree relatives share 1/2 of genetic background on average -- parents, siblings, children)

https://www.health.harvard.edu/depression/how-genes-and-life-events-affect-mood-and-depression

Jan 10, 2022

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